You give me fever!

Peggy Lee aside, the National Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing in a concert going by the title of Pop Fever, an event scheduled to take place on Sunday at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.

Contrary to previous years, the concert is a one-night event and the fifth in a series of similar concerts.

Previously, the pop event had been spread over a weekend but this year it has been somewhat shadowed by the Duran Duran concert taking place the previous day.

This year, the orchestra is being conducted by 30-year old Roderick Bugeja, who is debuting as orchestra conductor, but who has been conducting local bands for a good 13 years now. Mr Bugeja is also responsible for the choice of music pieces in the programme.

These vary considerably, ranging from John Williams to Madonna and Zucchero to The Rolling Stones.

Most of the tracks are familiar household tunes that have been chosen specifically to have everyone swaying to the music.

The concert will also feature music from the band Sixth Simfoni, which have recorded two tracks for their upcoming album (launched later this year) with the National Philharmonic Orchestra. Another couple of tracks will be sung by Gloriana Arpa.

This event, therefore, aims to give opportunity to budding talents. A number of the pieces will be instrumental and meant to showcase a number of music genres.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased from the MCC booking office.

A detailed programme of this event can be found at www.maltaorchestra.com.